Straight knitting machine



June 19, 1934. M. RICHTER 1,963,473

STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINE Filed D80. 15; 1935 V 6 Sheets-Sheet l LN IN V E]: TOI C 1mm far, B Y 5 ATTORNf? June 19, 1934. M. RICHTER STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINE 6 Sheets- Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 15, 1955 INVENTOR.

ATTOR ,Y.

June 19, 1934. RlcHTER v I 1,963,473

STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 15, 1955 e Sheets-Sheet 4 VIII/A IN V EN TOR.-

mgiakir June 19, 1934. I M RI HT R 1,963,473

STRAIGHT KNITTiNG MACHINE '7 v FiIed Dec. 15, 1933 6Sheets-Sheet 5 "'llliiiii|iiIiiiiIiiIlliIIilmllilllliillllllllllllllllm INVENTORE A T-TORN June 19, 1934. M. RICHTER STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 15, 1933 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 EMQ G Q 7 gr INVENTOR )Dhx'giohieg BY WA TTORNEY.

Patented June 19, 1934 STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINE Max Richter, West Reading, Pa., assignor to Textile Machine Works, Wyomissing, Pa, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application December 15, 1933, Serial No. 702,435 32 Claims. (01. 66-126) This invention relates to flat knitting machines, and more particularly to mechanism for operating and controlling, individually and/or collec- I tively, the thread carrier bars of a knitting ma- W chine adapted for knitting full fashioned hosiery or other similar flat fabrics having various portions composed of a main thread and other portions composed of a main thread and a reinforc- M ing or plating thread or threads independently W laid to the needles of the machine by separate thread guides respectively.

The present invention contemplates actuation of the thread carrier bars by fluid means, in coordination with mechanical means for governing such actuation, by which the laying of the thread or threads to the needles, and the actuation of the sinkers to introduce the thread or threads to the needles will be effected in properly timed relation one to the other.

One object of the present invention is to supplant the well known troublesome friction box type of driving mechanism for the thread carrier bars of conventional types of fiat knitting machines by positive acting driving means for 25 insuring uniform travel of the thread guides in definite predetermined relation to the sinker actuating slur cocks during and throughout the whole of a prescribed path of movement of the thread carrier bars between definitely and selecthe reciprocatory movements of the thread carrier bars.

With this and other objects in view, which will become apparent from the following detailed description of one illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, my invention resides in the novel elements, features of construction, and arrangement of parts in cooperative relationship, as hereinafter more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a rear elevation of suflicient of that portion of a flat knitting machine adjacent one r end thereof to illustrate the principles of the present invention and the operation of the mechanism of the present invention in conjunction with normally operating elements of the machine;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional elevation taken on the line 22, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional elevation taken on the line 3-3, Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 4-4, Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional elevation taken on the line 5--5, Fig. 4;

tively positioned stops determining the limits of Fig. 6 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 6-6, Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional elevation taken on the line 7-7, Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional elevation taken on the line 8-8, Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is a plan view looking in the direction of the arrow X, Fig. 2;

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sectional elevation taken on the line l10;Fig. 9; 65

Fig. 11 is a transverse sectional elevation taken on the line 11-l1, Fig. 9; and Figs'. 12, 13 and. 14, respectively, are diagrammatic views illustrating the fluid systemfor actu- P ating the carrier bars.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the

machine in general comprises a suitable framework, in the present instance illustrated as including main transverse members 1, 1, which are rigidly connected by longitudinal members or beams 2, '3, 4, and 6. Rotatably mounted in the framework is the usual main drive or cam shaft '7, which affords a means ,for timing and/or actuating the conventional parts of themachine, such as the needles, sinkers, etc. shown and described in detail in the Reading Full Fashioned Knitting Machine Catalogue (copyright 1929) published by the Textile Machine Works, Reading, Pennsylvania.

Extending longitudinally of the machine and slidably mounted in suitable supporting heads 8, 8, formed on brackets 9, 9 which are secured to the beam 4, is the usual plurality of thread carrier bars 10, 10. At each end of the machine, one end only of which is shown in Fig. 1, is the usual series of stops 11, 11, one for each carrier bar 10, which are pivotally mounted in the usual narrowing nuts or carriages 12. These carriages, as usual, are adapted'to be moved, step by step, toward and away from each other to limit the longitudinal movement of those of the bars whose stops 11 are in position to be engaged by the ends of the bars when longitudinal reciprocation of the bars is effected.

The present invention concerns improved means for reciprocating the thread carrier bars 10, 10. The bar actuating mechanism is clearly illustrated in Fig. '7, wherein each bar 10 is illustrated as being provided with a rigidly connected operating block 15. Each operating block 15 is provided in its upper surface with a transverse groove 16 for the reception of a drive lug 17 formed on a cross-head 18. Each cross-head 18 is split and rigidly clamped on a piston rod 19. At the opposite ends of each of the piston rods 19 are formed or secured pistons 20, 21, respectively. The pistons 20, 21 are mounted in right and left cylinders 22 and 23 respectively.

The cylinders 22 and 23 at their inner ends areopen and are secured in a fixed position on relatively spaced parts of the bar supporting heads 8, 8, in the present instance, by clamp blocks or straps 24 and 25 respectively. The outer ends of the cylinders 22 and 23 are closed by and secured in base or manifold blocks 26 and 2'7 respectively. The blocks 26 and 2'7 are rig-idly supported by brackets 26a, 27a secured to the beam 5, see Figs. 1 and 2.

Each cylinder 22 communicates with a main fluid passage 28 in the block 26 through a branch passage 30, a plug valve 32 in each instance con trolling the flow of fluid between the main fluid passage 28 and the outer end of the cylinder 22.

Each of the cylinders 23 communicates with a main fluid passage 29 in the block 27 through a branch passage 31 and a plug valve 33, by which the flow of fluid to and from the outer end of the cylinder 23 is controlled.

Due to the close positioning of the thread carrier bars 10, 10, the cylinders for operating these bars are divided into two groups, indicated at A and B'in Fig. 12, each of which includes a base block 26 and a base block 27. Ihe main fluid passages 28, 28 of the two blocks 26, 26 are connected by a fluid conduit 34; and the main fluid passages 29, 29 of the two blocks 2'7, 2'7 are connected by a fluid conduit 35. The c'onduits 34 and 35 communicate respectively with ports 36 and 37 of a main valve casing 40, see Fig. 5.

The valve casing 40 is also provided with a fluid inlet port 38 and a pair of fluid exhaust ports 39, 39, the latter ports being respectively disposed adjacent the ports 36 and 37 of the conduits 34 and 35 and communicate with fluid conduits 43, 43. The conduits 43, 43 communicate with a fluid reservoir 41 as clearly shown in Fig. 12. The port 38 communicates with alive fluid conduit 42 which in turn communicates with the exhaust port 44 of a constantly driven pump 45. The intake port 46 of the pump 45 communicates with the reservoir 41, by means of a conduit 4'7. Intercommunication between the pipes 34, 35, 42 and 43 is controlled by means of a main valve 50 mounted in the cylindrical valve casing 40.

The valve body 50 is provided with an axially extending live fluid passage 51 having four radial branches 52, 52 adapted to register successively with the live fluid inlet port 38 upon each 90 rotation of the valve 50; a pair of radial branches 53, 53 adapted to register with the port 3'7 of the conduit 35 on alternate 90 turns of the valve 50; and a pair of radial branches 54, 54 adapted to register with the port 36 of the conduit 34 on the intermediate alternate 90 turns of the valve 50.

The valve body 50 is also provided with short longitudinal passage grooves 55, 55 disposed in diametrically opposite relation to each other in the peripheral surface of the valve 50 for affording communication between the port 3'7 of the conduit 35 and one of the exhaust ports 39 of one of the exhaust conduits 43 in alternating succession with the registering oi the live flu d passages 53 with the port 37 of the conduit 35.

The valve body 50 is also provided with a second pair of diametrically opposite longitudinal passage grooves 56, 56 arranged to afl'ord communication between the port 36 of the conduit 34 and the second of the ports 39 which communicates with the second of the exhaust conduits 43.

With the valve 50 in the position illustrated in Fig. 12, motive fluid is conducted from the pump line 42 through the port 38 of the valve casing 40 into one of the radial branches 52 of the central passage 51 in the valve body 50, thence from the central passage 51 into one of the radial passages 53, thence through the port 3'7 into the conduit 35, which, being connected to the main fluid passages 29, 29 of the blocks 27, 27 admits fluid to those of the cylinders 23 whose plug valves 33 have been moved to a position permitting flow of fluid through the branch passage 31 by which the cylinders are connected to the main passages 29, whereby the pistons 21 in such cylinders are moved to the right and carry with them the thread bars 10 to'which their piston rods 19 are respectively connected.

Such movement of the pistons 21 in the cylinders 23, through the piston rods 19, moves the corresponding pistons 20 in the cylinders 22'to the right, thereby forcing fluid out of said cylinders into and through the branch passages 30 and main fluid passages 28 of the blocks 26 into and through the pipe 34 to the port 36 of the cylindrical valve casing 40, thence through one of the connecting grooves 56 in the valve 50 to the exhaust pipe 43 by which the fluid is returned to the reservoir 41.

When the valve 50 is turned 90 to the position shown in Fig. 13 the pump line 42 is connected to the conduit 34, by which live fluid is conducted through the main and branch passages 28 and 30 of the blocks 26 to the outer ends of the cylinders 22 whose plug valves 32 have been turned to permit passage of fluid to the outer ends of the pistons 20 mounted in said cylinders. Such live fluid operating against the outer ends of the pistons 20 moves the piston rods 19 and thread bars 10 in an opposite direction, that is. to .the left. The pistons 21 connected to the moving piston rods 19 force the fluid out of the cylinders 23 through the blocks 2'7 to the conduits 35,. from which the fluid passes to the outlet conduit 43 through one of the passages 55 in the valve 50, thereby completing one reciprocatory movement of the thread bars 10.

The live and spent fluid conduits 42 and. 43 are connected by a conduit 49 provided with a spring-pressed check valve 48, by which fluid in excess of the amount required to operate the thread bars then actively functioning in the machine to lay threads to the needles of the machine is by-passed from the-.pump line 42 to the exhaust line 43 or to the reservoir 41, said check valve being under control of a spring of definite strength by which the desired pressure is maintained in the pump line.

The rotary valve 50 is provided with a shaft 60, to which is secured a ratchet wheel 61. The ratchet wheel 61 is adapted to be engaged by a spring-pressed pawl 62. The pawl is pivotally mounted on the outer end of one arm 63 of" a bell-crank lever 64. The bell-crank lever 64 is loosely mounted on the valve shaft 60, for free rocking motion on said shaft. The second arm 65 of the bell-crank lever 64 is connected by a link 66 with one end of a lever 67 which is pivotally mounted intermediate its opposite ends on a stud 68 carried by a bracket 69 rigidly secured to the beam 6. On the opposite end of the lever 67 is rotatably mounted a roller 70.145

axially, as in narrowing, said roller is adapted l to ride the peripheral edge of a circular disc 72 which is secured to the cam shaft 7 in lateral abutting relation to the cam 71. A spring 73, having one end attached to the lever 67 and its opposite end coupled to a bracket 74 which is secured to the beam 5, maintains the roller 70 in operating contact with the cam 71 or 72. as the case may be. The arrangement is such that for each rotation of the cam shaft 7, by which one course of stitches is produced on the machine, the rotary valve 50 is given a rotation to the extent. of 90 by which the several ports of the rotary valve 50 are aligned with the ports of the valve casing 40 for admitting live fluid to one of the conduits 34 or 35, as the case mayv be, for passage'to one of the sets of cylinders 22 or 23 to move the carrier bars 10 in one direction, and to place the other of said conduits in communication with one of the exhaust conduits 43 for exhausting the spent fluidfrom the second set of cylinders into the reservoir 41.

In order to synchronize the operation of the thread bars 10 with the movement of the slur cocks, by which the sinkers of a machine introduce to the needles the thread which has been laid to the needles by the thread guides on the thread bars 10, means is provided. on the slur cock operating bar for controlling the movement of the thread bars 10 in timed relation with themovement of the slur cocks relative to the sinkers. 4

' As shown in Fig. 1, the slur cock operating bar 75, which is mounted for longitudinal sliding movement in the frame of the machine in the usual manner, has secured thereto a guide block 76 to which is pivotally connected, at 77, one end of a,link 78, the opposite end of said link bein pivotally connected at 79 to the coulier lever 80 of the machine. The coulier lever 80 is pivotally connected at 81 to a bracket 82 secured to the beam 6 in the usual manner. The coulier motion includes a second lever 83 pivoted at 84 to the beam 5. A link 85 pivotally connected at one end to the free end of the lever 83 and at its opposite end to the lever 80, intermediate the opposite endsthereof, carries a pair of rotatably mounted rollers 86 and 87 between which the coulier cam 88 operates, in the usual manner, to rock the lever 80 and thereby effect reciprocation of the slur cock operating bar 75, said cam 88 being driven, in the usual manner, from the main cam shaft 7 in timed relation to the stitch-forming mechanism of the machine.

Secured to the slur cock operating bar 75 and slidably mounted on the slur cock guide bar 90 is a pair of brackets 91 and 92 respectively, see Figs. 9, 10 and 11, said brackets be lfig provided with arms 93'and 94 respectively which are pivotally mounted at 95 on said brackets, said arms extending from said brackets transversely of and across the series of thread bars 10, as clearly shown in Figs. 9 and 11. Each ofgthe'arms 93 and 94 is provided with a series of spring-pressed plungers 96 and 97 respectively which are adapted to be engaged by shoulders 98 and 99 respectively which are arranged in spaced relation to each other on each of the thread bars 10. The purpose of the arms 93 and 94 and their plungers 96 and 97 is to retard the movement of the thread bars 10 as effected by their operating cylinders 22 and 23 so that the thread guides carried b said thread bars 10 will be maintained in definite leading relation to the slur cocks by which the sinkers are operated to sink the thread that is laid to the .needles by said thread guides as the slur cock bar 75 is reciprocated in the manner above noted.

The arms 93 and 94 are adapted for movement into and out of operative relation with respect to the thread bars 10 alternately with respect to each other, that is, when the thread bars 10 are moving to the right, for example, the arm 94 and 'its plungers 96 will cooperate with the shoulders '98 of the thread bars 10 so that the travel of the thread bars 10 will be synchronized with the travel of the slur cock bar 75, during which time the arm 93 is maintained in a raised position. During the movement of the thread bars 10 to the left, the arm 94 is raised to an inoperative position and the arm 93 is lowered into its operating position, whereupon the plungers 97 carried by the arm 93 are dropped into the path of move- "ment of the shoulders 99 of the thread bars 10,

so that the thread bars at no time can move faster than the slur cock operating bar 75.

' The operative position of the arms 93 and 94 in each instance is determined by the arm engaging the upper end of a stop screw 100 which is mounted in a lug 101 formed on and projecting from the bracket 91 or 92, as the case may be, said arm being normally urged into contact with the stop screw by a spring 102 having one end secured to the arm and the opposite end secured to the bracket.

For raising and lowering the arms 93 and 94 in the manner above noted, said arms are provided with roller trunnions 103 and 104, respectively, on which are'rotatably mounted rollers 105 and 106 respectively. The rollers 105 and 106 are each adapted to ride on a guide rail 107 secured tothe heads 8 in fixed relation to the. plane of movement of the thread bars 10. As the thread bars 10 and the slur cock operating bar 75 move to the right, the roller 106 of the arm 94 rides down a vertically inclined inner track surface 108 to a depressed inner track portion 110 of the bar 107, which lowers the plungers 96 into the path of the shoulders 98 of thethread barsv 10. As the slur cock bar 75 approaches the end of its movement in the direction to the right, the roller 106 rides up a second vertically inclined surface 112 onto the upper surface 120 of the rail 107. v

-96 above the path of the shoulders 98 of the thread bars 10. The roller 106 then engages a laterally inclined cam surface 114 projecting above the top surface 120 of the rail 107 which shifts said roller outwardly along its trunnion 104 into line with an outer track portion of the said surface 120.

At the same time, the roller 105 of the arm 93 which, during the movement of the thread bars 10 and slur, cock bar 75 to the right, has been riding the outer track portion of the upper surface 120 of the rail 107, comes incontact with a laterally inclined cam surface 109 projecting'above the upper surface 120 of the rail 107, whereby the roller 105 is shifted laterally inward on its trun- H nion 103 into line with an inner depressed track the elevated surface 120 of the rail 107 to the depressed surface 113 thereoffwhereby the plungers 97 of the arm 93 are lowered into the path of I p lowing, the lowering of the plungers 97 into the path of the shoulder blocks 99 the valve 50 is turned to admit live fluid into the cylinders 22, by which the thread bars 10 are moved to the left, whereupon the shoulders 99 engage the plungers 97' and the movement of the bars 10 to the left is thereby synchronized with the movement of the slur cock bar to the left.

As the slur cock bar 75 approaches the extreme end of its movement in the direction to the left the roller 105 rides up a vertically inclined surface 115 from the depressed surface 113 of the rail 107 on to the elevated surface 120 of said rail, after which said roller 105 engages a laterally inclined cam surface 119 formed on the upper surface 120 of the rail 107, which shifts said roller 105 laterally outward on its trunnion 103 into line with the outer track portion of the said upper surface 120 of the rail 107.

At the same time as the roller 105 engages the laterally inclined surface 119, the roller 106 engages a laterally inclined cam surface 122 on the upper surface 120 of the rail 107 which shift said roller inwardly from its previously occupied outer position on its stud 104 to a position in line with the depressed surface 110 of the rail 107, whereby,- upon the next movement of the slur cock bar 75 to the right, said roller will ride down the vertically inclined surface 108 onto the depressed surface 110 for repositioning the plungers 96 in the path of the shoulders 98 of the bars 10.

It will be noted that'during the movements of the thread bars 10 to the right and to the left in the manner above noted, said bars engage the stops 11 on the narrowing carriages 12, by which the movement of said thread bars is limited, in the usual manner, to control the width of the fabric being knitted; and that the arms ,93 and 94 receive a greater movement than the maximum movement permitted the bars 10, under which cir-= cumstances the shoulders 98 or 99, as the case may be, are disengaged from the plungers 96 and 9'7 by the said thread bars engaging said stops, whereupon the plungers 96 and 97 continue to move with their carrying arms 93 and 94 to the full extent of movement of the slur cock operating bar 75.

During the reciprocatory movements of the arms 93 and 94 the live fluid is not applied to the thread bar operating cylinders until such time as the plungers 96 or 97, as the case may be, have passed the shoulders 98 or 99 on the thread bars and have assumed positions ahead of said shoulders.

In order to permit the plungers to pass the shoulders with which they re to be'subsequently engaged in controlling t e movement of the thread bars said shoulders and plungers are beveled in the manner illustrated in Fig. 10.

The pump'45, the reservoir 41 and the main valve 40 are assembled as a unit and this unit is adapted to be secured in any desired position on the main framework of the machine.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive. this unit comprises a base member 151 adapted to be rigidly secured to the beam 8. The base 151 is provided with a vertically extending bracket 152 to which the feet 153, 153 of the pump 45 are rigidly secured. The pump in the present instance comprises a pair of intermeshing gears 154, 154 disposed in intermeshing relation to each other in a cavity 155 with which the pipes 42 and 47-respectively communicate at opposite sides of the intermeshing gears. One of said gears is operatively connected to the armature shaft 156 101' a constantly operating electric motor 157, in

the present instance. However, such pump gear may be driven from the constantly rotating main cam shaft 7 of the machine, if desired. The motor 157 is bolted in the present instance directly to the base 151.

The valve casing 40, in a like manner, is bolted directly to "me base member. 151 and to a boss 158 formed on the'pump 45 and in which the passage 44, from the pump to the inlet port 38 of .the valve casing 40, is formed. The reservoir 41 is bolted to a boss 159 formed on the pump 45 and in which the fluid passage 46 between the pump and the reservoir is formed. The fluid conduits 43 are connected directly from the valve casing 40 to the reservoir 41.

As shown in Fig. 9, some of the spring-pressed plungers 97 in the arm 93 are ofi-set with respect to the other plungers in the arm; and some of the plungers 96 in the arm 94 are off-set with respect to theothers, in a direction longitudinally of the bars 10. This arrangement is provided for the purpose of establishing a predetermined lead of ,some of the thread guides with respect to the others for plating purposes, as will be readily understood by one skilled in the art.

It will be obvious that any suitable liquid may be used in the system, but it is preferred to use a substantially non-compressible liquid, such as oil or a compound whose viscosity will remain substantially uniform and of which there is little or no loss by evaporation; and for brevity in the specification and claims the term hydraulic is employed in a generic sense to define any of the aforesaid liquids or compounds, or any combi nation thereof.

Of course, the knitting machine and improvements therefor specifically shown and described can be changed and modified in various ways without departing from the invention herein disclosed and hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. In a knitting machine, the combination of a thread bar, a hydraulic motor operatively -con-= nected to and adapted for effecting reciprocation of said thread bar, a source of motive fluid for said motor, a valve between the motor and said supply, and means for periodically actuating said valve to admit said fluid tosaid motor.

2. In a knitting machine, the combination of a thread bar, a reciprocating hydraulic motor for effecting reciprocation of said thread ,bar, a fluid supply, a valve having ports connected to said supply and to the opposite ends of said motor respectively, and means for periodically actuating said valve to admit fluid from said supply to one end of the motor and to permit escape of fluid from the opposite end of the motor.

3. In a knitting machine having a main cam shaft, the combination of a thread bar, a-reciproeating hydraulic motor for effecting reciprocation of said thread bar, a fluid supply, a valve having ports connected to said supply and to the opposite ends of said motor respectively, and means actuated from said cam shaft for periodi 'cally actuating said valve to admit fluid from fluid passage and branch t) and from. said manifolds, and means for periodically actuating said mean valve for effecting synchronous reciprocations of said thread bars.

5. In a knitting machine, the'combination of a plurality of independent thread bars, a reciprocating hydraulic motor individual to each bar for effecting reciprocation thereof, a pair of manifolds respectively connected to the opposite ends of the plurality of motors respectively, a fluid supply, a main valve controlling the flow of fluid to and from said manifolds, means for periodically actuating'said main valve for efiecting synchronous reciprocations of said thread bars, and individual valves for each motor in each manifold for selectively rendering said motors inoperative 6. In a knitting machine, the combination of a. plurality of independent'thread bars, a reciprocating hydraulic motor individual to each bar for effecting reciprocation thereof, a'pair of manifolds respectively connected to the opposite ends of the plurality of motors respectively, a fluid supply, a-main valve controlling the flow of fluid to and from said manifolds, means for periodically actuating said main valve for effecting synchronous reciprocations of said-thread bars, individual tively rendering said motors inoperative, and a relief valve in said fluid line between the supply and the manifolds for maintaining uniform flow to said motors. v

'7. In a knitting machine having a plurality of independent thread bars and individual reciprocating hydraulic motors for reciprocating said bars respectively, a unit comprising a fluid pump, I

a fluid reservoir, and a main control valve for supplying and controlling a flow of fluid to and from said motors.

8. In a knitting machine having-a plurality of independent thread bars and individual recipro cating hydraulic motors for reciprocating said bars respectively, a unit comprising a fluid pump, a fluid reservoir, a main control valve for supplying and'controlling a flow of fluid to and from said motors, and a driving motor for said pump assembled on a single base removably' secured to said machine.

-9. In a knitting machine, the combination of a series of thread bars, a hydraulic motor for independently reciprocating each bar, said motors each comprising a relatively long piston rod operatively connected intermediate its ends to one of said bars and provided at each of its oppositeends with a piston, a cylinder for each of said pistons,

a manifold at and secured to the outer ends of each series of cylinders and ovided with a main assages leading from the main passage to said cylinders respectively, and a plug valve controlling each of said branch passages. I v

- 10. In a knitting machine, the combination of thread-laying means, sinker-operating means, hydraulic means for effecting reciprocation of the thread-laying means, means for effecting reciprocation of the sinker-operating means, and

means for controlling the reciprocations of the thread-laying means in accordance with the reciprocations of the sinker operating means.

11. In a knitting machine, the combination of thread-laying means, sinker-operating means, hydraulic means for effecting reciprocation of the thread-laying means, mechanically operated means for eifecting reciprocation of the sinker operating means, and intermediate means for synchronizing the reciprocations of the threadlaying means with the reciprocations of the sinker-operating means.

12. In a knitting machine, the combination of a plurality of thread-laying mechanisms, at.

reciprocating sinker-operating mechanism, hydraulic means for effecting reciprocations of said thread-laying mechanisms, and means for synchronizing the reciprocations of said thread-laying mechanisms with the reciprocations of the sinker-operating mechanism.

13. In -a knitting machine, the combination of a plurality of thread-laying mechanisms, a reciprocating sinker-operating mechanism, hydraulic means for effecting reciprocations of said threadlaying mechanisms, means for synchronizing the reciprocations of said thread-laying mechanisms with the reciprocations of the sinker-operating mechanism, and means for selectively rendering said thread-laying mechanisms inoperative.

14. In a knitting machine, the combination of a reciprocating sinker operating bar, a thread bar, a hydraulic motor for reciprocating said thread bar, and means affording a coupling between said bars for synchronizing the reciprocations of one with the reciprocations of the other of said bars.

15. In a knitting machine, the combination of 'a reciprocating sinker-operating bar, a plurality of thread bars, a hydraulic motor individual to each thread bar for effecting reciprocation thereof independently of the others of said thread bars, and means for synchronizing the reciprocations of said plurality of thread bars with the reciprocations of said sinker-operating bar.

16. In a knitting machine, the combination of a reciprocatingsinker-operating bar, a plurality of thread bars, a' hydraulic motor individual to each thread bar for effecting reciprocation thereof independently of the others of said thread bars, means for synchronizing the reciprocations of said plurality of thread bars with the reciprocations of said sinker-operating bar, and means for selectively rendering said thread bars inoperative.

17. In a knitting machine, the combination of a reciprocating sinker-operating bar, a plurality of thread bars, a hydraulic motor individual to each thread bar for effecting reciprocation thereof independently of the others of said thread bars, means for synchronizing the reciprocations of said plurality of thread bars with the reciprocations of said sinker-operating bar, and means for ,selectively rendering said individual fluid motors inefiective.

18. In a knitting machine, the combination of a reciprocating sinker-operating bar, a plurality of thread bars, a hydraulic motor individual to each thread bar for effecting reciprocation theremeans for synchronizing the reciprocations of said plurality of thread bars with the reciprocations of said sinker-operating bar, means for selectively rendering said individual fluid motors inoperative, common means .for supplying motive fluid to said motors, and means for maintainin constant uniform flow of fluid to the active motors irrespective of the number of motors rendered inoperative.

19. In a knitting machine, the combination of .of'independently of the others of said thread bars, I

a reciprocating sinker-operating bar, a thread 1 bar paralleling the sinker bar, hydraulic means for eifecting reciprocation of the thread bar, a pair of laterally spaced arms carried by the sinker bar and extending transversely across the thread A ing the coupling means of one arm ineffective during movement of said bars in one direction in coupled relation to each other as afforded by. the coupling means of the second of said arms.

20. In a knitting machine, the combination of a reciprocating sinker-operating bar, a thread bar paralleling the sinker bar, hydraulic means for eiiecting reciprocation of the thread bar, a

- pair of laterally spaced arms carried by the sinker bar and extending transversely across the thread bar, coupling means carried by the arms and the thread bar respectively for synchronizing the reciprocations of said bars, and means for alternately rendering the coupling means of said arms inefiective during each reciprocation of said bars.

21. In a knitting machine, the combination of a reciprocating sinker-operating mechanism, a plurality of independent thread-laying mechanisms, an individual hydraulic motor for and adapted to eflect independent reciprocation of each thread-laying mechanism, common means for supplying motive fluid to all of said motors simultaneously to effect synchronous reciprocations of said thread-laying mechanisms, and means for synchronizing the reciprocations of the thread-laying mechanisms with the reciprocations of the sinker-operating mechanism.

22. In a knitting machine, the combination of a reciprocating sinker-operating mechanism, a plurality obindependent thread-laying mechanisms, an individual hydraulic motor for and adapted to effect independent reciprocation of each thread-laying mechanism, common means for supplying motive fluid to all of said motors simultaneously to effect synchronous reciprocations of said thread-laying mechanisms, means for synchronizing the reciprocations of the thread-laying mechanisms with the reciprocations of the sinker-operating mechanism, and means for selectively rendering said fluid motors inoperative.

23. In a knitting machine, the combination of a reciprocating sinker-operating mechanism, a

plurality of independent thread-laying mechanisms, a hydraulic motor individual to each thread-lay g mechanism for efiecting reciprocations thereof, means for synchronizing the reciprocations of the thread-laying mechanisms with the. reciprocations of the sinker-operating mechanism, motive fluid supply means common to all of said motors, a main valve controlling the flow of said fluid, from said supply to said motors, and means for actuating said main valve in timed relation with the reciprocations of said sinker-operating mechanism.

24. In a knitting machine, the combination of a reciprocating sinker-operating mechanism, a plurality ofindependent thread-laying mechanisms, a hydraulic motor individual to each thread-laying mechanism for effecting reciprocations thereof, means for synchronizing the reciprocations of the thread-laying mechanisms with the reciprocations of the sinker-operating mechanism, motive fluid supply means common to all and furnishing motive fluid in excess of the maximum total requirements of said motors, a main valve controlling the flow .of said fluid from said supply to said motors, a relief valve permitting escape of said'excess fluid to maintain the flow of fluid to said motors uniform, and means for actuating said main valve in timed relation with the reciprocations of said sinker-operating mechanism.

25. In a knitting machine, the combination of a reciprocating sinker-operating mechanism, 9.

plurality of independent thread-laying mechanisms, a hydraulic motor individual to each thread-laying mechanism for effecting reciprocations thereof, means for synchronizing the reciprocations of the thread-laying mechanisms with the reciprocations of the sinker-operating mechanism, motive fluid supply means common to all and furnishing motive fluid in excess of the maximum total requirements of said motors, a main valve controlling the flow of said fluid from said supply to said motors, individual valves for controlling the flow of fluid to said motors separately, a relief valve permitting escape of said excess fluid to maintain the flow of fluid to said motors uniform, and means for actuating said main valve in timed relation with the reciprocations of said sinker-operating mechanism.

26.1h a knitting machine, the combination of a reciprocating sinker-operating mechanism, a plurality of independently reciprocable threadlaying mechanismameans for synchronizing the reciprocations of the thread-laying mechanisms with the reciprocations of the sinker-operating mechanism, a closed hydraulic system including an independent fluid motor individual to each of said thread-laying mechanisms for effecting reciprocation thereof, a fluid pump, a fluid-reservoir, a main control valve, fluid conduits connecting the motors with said main valve, fluid conduits connecting said main valve with said pump and with said reservoir, a fluid conduit connecting said pump with said reservoir, and means for actuating said main .valve in timed relation with the reciprocatory movements of said sinker-operating mechanism.

' 27. In a knitting machine, the combination of a reciprocating sinker-operating mechanism, a plurality of independently reciprocable threadlaying mechanisms, means for synchronizing the reciprocations of the thread-laying mechanisms with the reciprocations of the sinker-operating mechanism, a closed hydraulic system including an independent fluid motor individual to each of said thread-laying mechanisms foreflecting reciprocation thereof, a fluid pump, a fiuid reservoir a main control valve, fluid conduits connecting the motors with said main valve, fluid conduits connecting said main valve with said pump and with said reservoir, a fluid conduit connecting said pump with said reservoir, individual valves for each of said motors for selectively rendering said motors inoperative, and means for actuating said main valve in timed relation with the reciprocatory movements of said sinker-operating mechanism.

28. In a knitting machine, the combination of a reciprocating sinker-operating mechanism, a plurality of independentlyreciprocable threadlaying mechanisms, means. for synchronizing the reciprocations of the thread-laying mechanisms with the reciprocations of the sinker-operating mechanism, a closed hydraulic system including an independent fluid motor individual to each of said thread-laying mechanisms for effecting reciprocation thereof, a fluid pump, a fluid reserrendering said motors inoperative, a fluid by-pass between the pump outlet and the reservoir, a relief valve in said by-pass for permitting escape of excess fluid and maintaining uniform flow in said system between the pump and the motors, and means for actuating said main valve in timed relation with the reciprocatory movements of said sinker-operating mechanism. l

29. In a knitting machine, the combination of a reciprocating sinker-operating bar, a thread bar paralleling the sinker bar, hydraulic means for eiiecting reciprocation of the thread bar, a pair of laterally spaced arms carried by the sinker bar and extending transversely across the thread bar, coupling means carried by the arms and the thread bar respectively for synchronizing the reciprocations of said bars, a railparalleling the said bars and provided with a pair of parallel track portions for each of said arms, track riders carried by said arms for riding said track portions of said rail, and means for shifting said track riders in opposite directions respectively from one to the other of the track portions traveled thereby adjacent the end of each stroke of reciprocation of said bars to render the cou-" pling means of said arms alternately efiective and ineffective in each reciprocation of said bars.

30. In a knitting machine, the combination of a reciprocating sinker-operating bar, a thread bar parallelingthe sinker bar, hydraulic means for effecting reciprocation of the thread bar, a pair of laterally spaced arms pivoted to and carried by the sinker bar and extending transversely across the thread bar, coupling means carried by the arms and the thread bar respectively for synchronizing the reciprocations of said bars, a rail paralleling said bars, a pair of relatively high and low track portions 011 said rail for each of said arms, rollers on said arms respectively for riding said track portions, and means for shifting said rollers on said arms in opposite directions to each other to align the rollers alternately with the high and low track portions respectively, for raising the coupling means of one arm out of the path of the coupling means on the thread bar and for lowering the coupling means of the other arm into the path of the coupling means of the thread bar alternately during each reciprocation of said bars.

31. In a knitting machine equipped with a plurality of independent thread bars and a cam shaft, hydraulic means for reciprocating said thread bars, comprising a cylinder for and having a piston operatively connected to each of said thread bars, a fluid pump, a fluid reservoir connected to said pump, a rotary main control valve having ports connected to the opposite ends of each of said cylinders, ports connected to the pump, and ports connected to the reservoir, a ratchet wheel on the rotary valve, a pawl cooperating with said ratchet to turn said valve intermittently, a pivotally mounted lever carrying said pawl, and a cam on said cam shaft for rocking said lever to effect actuation of the valve to admit and exhaust fluid to and from the opposite ends of the cylinders respectively for reciprocating the thread bars respectively controlled by said cylinders.

32. In a knitting macliine equipped with a plurality of independent thread bars and a cam shaft, hydraulic means for reciprocating said thread bars, comprising a cylinder for and having a piston operatively connected to each of said thread bars, a fluid pump, a fluid reservoir con- ,nected to said pump, a rotary main control valve having ports connected to the opposite ends of each of said cylinders, ports connected to the pump, and ports connected to the reservoina ratchet wheel on the rotary valve, a pawl coopcrating with said ratchet to turn said valve intermittently, a pivotally mounted lever carrying said pawl, a cam on said cam shaft for rocking said lever to effect actuation of the valve to admit and exhaust fluid to and from the opposite ends of the cylinders respectively for reciprocating the thread bars respectively controlled by said cylinders, and individual manually controlled valves at each of the opposite ends of each cylinder for selectively rendering the pistons in said cylinders noperative.

MAX RICHTER. 

